Empowering Diverse Learners
A Toolkit for LEARNING SPECIALISTS
LEARNING SPECIALISTS OFTEN WORK IN ISOLATION, facing the challenge of addressing the unique and complex needs of their students without a comprehensive set of tools and strategies. Empowering Diverse Learners aims to bridge this gap by equipping learning specialists with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to support individualized learning effectively. This five-day professional institute provides a collaborative environment where specialists can gain insights, develop practical strategies, connect with thought leaders, and leave with a toolkit designed to enhance their impact in one-on-one or small-group settings.
Monday
Building Foundations
Register and settle into your dorm room. Participate in introductions and a collaborative goal-setting session designed to foster connections within the cohort.
Tuesday
Understanding Diverse Learners
Engage with experts as they share evidence-based strategies, case studies, and interventions on learning disabilities, Anxiety/OCD, and ADHD.
Wednesday
Enhancing Practice Through Technology and Collaboration
Explore how generative AI can support diverse learners and learn strategies to collaborate effectively with school professionals.
Thursday
Collaborative Strategies & Application
Explore how to collaborate effectively with teachers, administrators, and school professionals to build cohesive support systems, work in developmentally focused cohorts to apply the week’s learning, and begin creating a personalized toolkit with strategies ready for implementation.
Friday
Integration, Showcase, and Reflection
Apply your learning through real-world scenarios, finalize your personalized strategy toolkit, and share key strategies for peer feedback. Reflect on your growth, set SMART goals for the year ahead, and leave with a clear action plan for implementation.
Meet Your Facilitators
Gina Ludlow, MA SYC, ABNSP
Gina Ludlow is the Director of the Moorhead Academic Center at the Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut. A certified school psychologist with over twenty-five years of experience, she is dedicated to helping students succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. Her areas of expertise include conducting psychological assessments, counseling, and supporting the needs of diverse learners. Gina brings extensive expertise as a certified school psychologist and Diplomate of the American Board of School Neuropsychologists focusing on bridging neuroscience and education to enhance student outcomes.
Christina Agvent, PhD
Dr. Christina Agvent brings over thirty years of experience in education and specializes in training educators to effectively and ethically employ generative AI to support the needs of diverse learners. She provides innovative and practical solutions and is committed to equipping learning specialists with cutting-edge strategies and resources to empower students across educational settings.